Franklin Fire Department needs help to win Rescue Remodel contest

A Franklin firehouse is getting national attention, and firefighters hope it brings them a new look and saves taxpayers a lot of money.

Away from the wind and the cold at Franklin Fire Station No. 1, the kitchen is a home away from home.

"Any kitchen is usually the heart of the fire station," acting Franklin Fire Chief Adam Remington said. "This kitchen might be inhabited 19-20 hours a day between calls with guys coming and going, so it does get quite a bit of use."

It shows from top to bottom. The wear and tear is all around.

"Our hinges are about shot on these," Remington said. "You can see the ventilation system's a little bit outdated. Our electrical is not really made to accommodate the staffing here."

Remington said the kitchen has never really been updated since it went in, in 1989.

As the department has grown, and has become busier, he said, budget priorities have been elsewhere, to provide services.

Firefighters do some of the kitchen repairs to save money.

"This needs to be updated at some point. It's gonna have to be done. And if we can do it this way, it's gonna save our taxpayers," Remington said.

What they're trying do is win a national contest put on by the Family Handyman magazine and Ikea.

After a battalion chief entered them, the fire station is now one of five finalists in the $25,000 Rescue Remodel contest.

"We're not looking to create a palace here. We just want something that's going to be functional and stand the test of time," Remington said.

The fire station also hosts meetings, tours and public-education events.

That's another reason why it made the final five out of a pool of 200 applicants.

Forty years ago, one of the greatest boxing matches in history took place in an unlikely setting: the capital of the Philippines. Muhammad Ali's epic win over great rival Joe Frazier in 1975 became known as the "Thrilla in Manila."